Texas A&M University Men’s Water Polo Alum Dr. Harry Warren ’79 ’82 Receives Texas A&M College of Medicine 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award
BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Dr. Harry Warren ’79 ’82, MD, was recognized with the Texas A&M University College of Medicine 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award during the institution’s annual Scholarship Appreciation Dinner on April 11, 2025.
The Outstanding Alumni Award is presented to “a former student who has transcended the fundamental role of health care provider, scientist or educator in order to have a broader influence on the advancement of the art and science of medicine.” The award, which has previously been given to 18 Aggies, also celebrates the recipient’s commitment to exemplifying Texas A&M’s Core Values of Excellence, Integrity, Leadership, Loyalty, Respect and Selfless Service.
Harry Warren
Warren has a long history of being committed to excellence. As a teenager, the native of Bellaire, Texas, was an Eagle Scout, a National Merit finalist and a member of his high school’s champion swim team.
His drive to excel increased when he enrolled at Texas A&M in 1975. By the time he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and MD, his list of accomplishments included Battalion Commander, instructor in Rudder’s Rangers, Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, a Distinguished Military Graduate, and a member of the Fish Drill Team, Texas A&M Swim Team and the Texas A&M Water Polo Team.
After receiving his commission to the U.S. Army, Warren had a significant influence on military medical practice for more than four decades as he specialized in orthopedic trauma surgery and major reconstructive surgery of shoulders and knees. During the course of his career, Warren was an Army Ranger, master parachutist, expert field medic and master flight surgeon.
“He treated thousands of soldiers and civilians through several deployments to Honduras, Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq for both Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom,” said Paul F. Ogden, MD, a clinical professor of internal medicine in the College of Medicine who nominated Warren for the honor.
Early in his Army career, Warren founded the 101st Forward Surgical Team, which deployed on short notice to Operation Desert Storm. The team participated in the largest air assault operation ever conducted, flying at low level over 100 miles behind the lines with the 101st Airborne Division to provide critical surgical care to soldiers injured in the Euphrates region.
Warren later served as the first chief of the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at Womack Army Medical Center. The department became the model for the U.S. Army when orthopedic services were realigned internationally. Additionally, Warren was responsible for training orthopedic surgery residents from Duke University and Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
One of Warren’s definitive military experiences involved commanding Med Task Force 86 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“When no other hospital was able to cover the essential forward surgery mission, he split his 312-bed hospital into two units. He applied principles that he had developed back in the 101st Surgical team and set up the first mobile surgical hospital in Iraq, which immediately was inundated with mass casualties,” said Lt. Col. (Ret.) Gordon Hsieh. “His team rose to the occasion. In reference to Med TF-96 performance, a senior general officer stated that ‘the 86th was the medical plan.’ Dr Warren then pivoted to provide multiple humanitarian actions across Iraq to provide care to an already underserved civilian population now dealing with additional disruptions due to the war.”
Warren also has a strong interest in sports medicine. He served as the team physician for the Army’s Golden Knights and the Fort Campbell football team, as well as individual athletes who competed at the local, state and elite international levels. He continues to serve U.S. troops as the chief of Sports Medicine at Fort Eustis in Virginia.
His outstanding service was duly noted. By the time he retired with the rank of colonel, Warren had been awarded the Legion of Merit six times, the Bronze Star twice, the Meritorious Service Medal six times, and the Air Medal and Combat Medical Badge. He also is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Information courtesy Texas A&M University College of Medicine
